All the Best

We tell ourselves we're nuts. We tell ourselves we love what we're doing. We tell ourselves we cannot live without writing and that the rejections no longer hurt. But every rejection does hurt, no matter how kind the words might be...

Thanks so much for sending your chapters and for offering me the chance to consider your material. Unfortunately, your project doesn't seem right for me. Since it's crucial that you find an agent who will represent you to the best of his or her ability, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to step aside rather than ask to represent your manuscript.

Had she stopped there, I would have felt less hurt by her rejection. But instead, she rubbed salt into the wound...

You have a great imagination - I love the premise - and you're a good writer, but I'm sad to say that I just wasn't passionate enough about this to ask to see more. I wish I could offer constructive suggestions, but I thought the dialogue was fine, the characters well-crafted, and the plot well-conceived. I think it's the kind of thing that really is subjective - why some people adore the book on the top of the NYTimes bestseller list, and others don't.

She's right. I know the business is subjective. The number of poorly-written published books I find on my nightstand proves it...


Just to reiterate, another agent and publisher will probably feel differently. I certainly encourage you to continue to seek representation elsewhere (I'm afraid, though, that I cannot recommend someone), and thank you again for the opportunity to take this on.

She must have had someone ask for a recommendation. I'd never do that. I appreciate her words, I appreciate the encouragement. I'm not sure I'm up to the task right now, to keep going on this journey...

All the best, P.

Yes, all the best. Sometimes I feel as though this writing life has taken all the best out of me.

Comments

Anonymous said…
There are good days and bad days to everything... it'll come back around again. Ups and downs of life and all that jazz. Of course, while you're waiting for the upswing you could try becoming good friends with vodka. I have some writer friends who believe it's a necessary part of the process ;)
Tanstaafl said…
Audrey has been waiting for your email. Perhaps take a break and let her read it in the meantime?

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